I know this is one of those questions to which there is no answer, but I'm gonna ask it anyway.

I got a .338 for my upcoming interior griz/caribou combo hunt in AK next year and am working up loads for the 225 gr TSX. I have one load that is well below max but will pretty much clover leaf at 100 yds. The max load isn't so good: it shoots a group of about 1.1-1.3" (which I consider good enough) but the first shot out of a clean barrel is about 2" high and .5" right. I'm going to try to figure out if a fowling shot would take care of this or not.


I just wanted to get a sense from those folks out there hunting there critters: would you opt for the tighter group with the ~150 fps velocity loss or stick with the max load and suffer the accuracy loss? Or just close your eyes and pick cause it won't make a damned bit of difference?

I do alot of precision shooting, and without a doubt, ACCURACY over velocity, shot placement is key, my kid dropped a griz with his .260 kimber montana shooting 120 grains while sheep hunting last year. I have seen Big Brownies dropped with a .270. Not saying I would take such a light cal. to hunt them, but it will work. Bottom line, what works for you and whats you shoot most accurately.

You have plenty of time to play with seating, powder, ect, ect to see if you can get the velocity you want with the accuracy you want.

Brett

WayFare

For me it is always extremely important to have the upmost faith in my rifle, my load and my bullet for the mission! Confidence in your equipment and load is the key to success!

Brett is correct, you have a year to play so make the best of it and come up with a good combination that works giving you max accuracy, and bullet performance.

In the end however the bear won't care if the TSX is down by a 100-150 fps or so!

It is much more important for you to have the confidence in your equipment!

Michael

It's all about shot placement! Most natives I know up here use M94 30-30s or similar. They like to hit the neck just behind the head. I saw a 10 year old boy drop two bull moose with a little 7-08. Hit'em both just behind the head at 150 and 180 yards. Dropped like a bad of sand. Lou

I've only shot one big bear, so I'm no expert. That said, whether it is squirrels or elephants, accuracy is the most important factor. 150 fps. in my opinion is not significant, a shot a few inches to far back at the edge of the alders............

Go with accuracy.

When you look at the Griz through you scope, you will not be thinking "Do I have enough velocity?"

You will be thinking "CAN I HIT HIM GOOD!!?"

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Go with accuracy.

When you look at the Griz through you scope, you will not be thinking "Do I have enough velocity?"

You will be thinking "CAN I HIT HIM GOOD!!?"

+1
That bear will not know the difference in 150fps velocity when it's hit. I always go with accuracy, it's a mental thing, your faster group is not bad by any means, 1.3 MOA is 2.6 at 200 and 5.2 at 300 which to me is an extreme distance to shoot a griz anyway IMO.

Originally posted by Dirklawyer

quote:

That bear will not know the difference in 150fps velocity when it's hit. I always go with accuracy, it's a mental thing, your faster group is not bad by any means, 1.3 MOA is 2.6 at 200 and 5.2 at 300 which to me is an extreme distance to shoot a griz anyway IMO.

+1 here also 5.2 at 300 equals a 2.6" miss at that range. A bears vitals are a lot bigger than that.

You already have all you need but like the others have said here you have a lot of time to tweak your load. I'm sure you can have both. I load my bolt action .338's to the max and still have under MOA with both. My .338 double rifle regulates a little under that.

No matter what you shoot, accuracy kills. Big velocity numbers influence friends and forums.

Thanks all, appreciate the replies.

I think I'd rather spend the time shooting the more accurate but slower load from various positions at the range to build confidence in my shooting the fiddle with the load anymore.

I'll be different here. 0.5 inches in group size is completely irrelevant in this case. If you were talking about going from 1" groups to 3.5" groups, it would be one thing, but going from 1.5" groups to 1" groups is meaningless in the context of this discussion. Pick a quality bullet and spend your time getting into shape and shooting from field positions and in high winds rather than screwing around on the benchrest.

Right on analog!, but you have a year. Try different bullets and powder combinations.
I get max velocity and sub MOA groups from my Rem 700 Classic - 338 with Nosler Partitions (either 225 or 250 gr) and max loads of H4831.
Bear2

WS

Exactly! You are hunting fairly good sized animals at moderate ranges. A rifle that delivers a premium bullet at moderate to high velocity will work fine. The 225 TSX is perfect in your 338. If you can drive it over 2700 FPS with good accuracy it's a winner.

Mark

My opinion :

Go with the tack-driver .

Confidence in the weapon and its group , is an indespensible part of your psychological relationship with your rifle .

150 fps is nothing , given your choice of a premium bullet , -- which yields more than adequate energy dump and penetration at a less than maximum loading .

Couple of things : --- If you want to go way-out for the Caribou , you can go to a 200 gr. bullet , and get a very flat result . -- Depends on anticipated Caribou / open country conditions .

For the Grizz. , -- if you're hunting alone , and a charge occurs , -- the .375 H&H or better , would be a better choice .

-- The .375 with light for caliber Premiums , is a flatter shooter than most envision , for Caribou . For Griz. , -- when around streams and alderbrush , -- the .375 with Heavy Premiums is good medicine . --- Comforting .

-------- Best of Luck , MMCOUGAR .

*** Per the American Rifleman ***

Just read an article , in a recent American Rifleman , -- on loading the Barnes TSX bullet .

I just skimmed the article , but believe it said the TSX is very sensitive to seating depth , and usually prints better in loads w/ less than maximum pressures .

If I'm remembering right , -- that would explain WAYFARING STRANGER'S better groups .

Maybe it's par for the course with the TSX's ?


---------------- MMCOUGAR .

Frist off I would want to know if you have measured the vel of the loads. A load that is well below max could 300 to 400 fps below max or book vel.

A 1.3 inch group is dead bear well out to 300 yards plus. If it is only 150 fps loss a very tight group is worth it. But only if you real know what the vel. actualy is.

One could easly be down around 2300 fps if you haven't measured the vel. I take this is a 338 WM. or is it some other form of 338 mag.

If both loads are up there over 2600fps then it really dosen't make much of a differants. If one is only going by the book vel. I find that most rifle vel's are slower then the ones in the book.

I'd always opt for the tighter group. 150fps is not a big deal.